Racing elite arrive on Gold Coast in a bid to find the next Black Caviar at Magic Millions sales

THE Queen’s racing manager, sheiks and celebrities are arriving on the Gold Coast in a $90 million quest to find the next Black Caviar.

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THE Queen’s racing manager, sheiks and celebrities are arriving on the Gold Coast in a $90 million quest to find the next Black Caviar.

The Magic Millions horse sales and racing carnival mixes high finance with glamour and even a touch of royalty, with the Queen’s granddaughter Zara Phillips attending this year.

It all begins tonight with a glamorous 1920s-themed cocktail party followed by ­Ladies Day at the Bundall racecourse tomorrow.

The $4.7 million Jeep Magic Millions Raceday is the following Saturday.

Prizemoney will increase to a staggering $10 million next year, making it the richest raceway in Australia.

But much of the action will happen away from the track at the horse sales from January 7-13, where turnover is expected to top the $86 million outlaid last year.

Peter Moody, trainer of the undefeated Black Caviar, was among those inspecting yearlings at the Bundall sales complex yesterday.

He usually buys about a dozen of the 1000 horses on offer and is in the market for another champion.

Feeling the heat at the Magic Millions sales yard is Peter Moody, former trainer of Black Caviar. Picture: Glenn Hampson

“That’s why you keep doing it — you keep looking for the next Black Caviar,” Mr Moody said.

“You keep living the dream. It’s like buying lotto tickets.’’

John Warren, who oversees the Queen’s racing and horse-breeding empire, arrives on the Coast tomorrow.

Magic Millions managing director Vin Cox said he did not believe the monarch was buying via Mr Warren.

“He looks at a lot of horses,” Mr Cox said.

“I’m not sure if the Queen is in the market at the moment but he’s a very significant buyer in the northern hemisphere.

“He’s highly regarded as a judge of horse flesh so there’ll be a number of people seeking his counsel.”

If the Queen requires a second opinion on a potential buy, her granddaughter Ms Phillips will be on the ground as a Magic Millions patron.

Other personalities at Magic Millions will include Channel 7’s Winners and Losers star Melanie Vallejo, Home and Away’s Demi Harman and Alec Snow, as well as newcomer Pia Miller.

Sponsors Myer will have ambassadors Rachael Finch, Amanda Ware, Kate Peck and Jodi Anasta on hand.

The Queen’s granddaughter Zara Phillips at the Magic Millions in 2013.

Racing royalty Criquette Head-Maarek, considered to be the leading female racehorse trainer in the world, will visit the sales along with Australia’s own Gai Waterhouse.

Mr Cox said sheiks and celebrities would be among the buyers but would not name names.

The late Sheikh Maktoum bin Rashid Al Maktoum, the ruler of Dubai, died at Palazzo Versace in 2006 while attending the sales.

“We don’t put any expectation on them to buy,” Mr Cox said.

“They play their cards pretty close to their chests.

“We are anticipating some fairly good, big buys from different parts of the world and obviously domestically.”

Pick up today’s Bulletin for your 32-page Magic Millions liftout.